Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology for the Treatment of Leishmaniasis and Chagas Diseases

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 427

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, Brazil
Interests: nanotechnology; nanoparticles; nanoformulation
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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Pathology and Microbial Control, University of São Paulo (USP-ESALQ), Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil
Interests: phytomedicines; phytochemistry; nanoformulation of natural products; nanobiotechnology

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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Pathology and Microbial Control, University of São Paulo (USP-ESALQ), Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil
Interests: nanomedicine; nanoformulation; parasitology; microbiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as a diverse group of healthy conditions caused by a variety of pathogens and associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences. NTDs are mainly prevalent among poor communities in tropical areas, although some have a much larger geographical distribution, reaching developed countries. It is estimated that NTDs affect more than 1 billion people, while the number of people requiring NTD interventions (both preventive and curative) is 1.6 billion. Among NTDs, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are two of the most relevant. Currently, the treatment of both parasite infections is still problematic, where few alternative drugs are available for use in clinical settings, and they present serious concerns such as parasite resistance, debilitating side effects, cost of treatment, the need for hospitalization and/or patient continuous monitoring. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology is being employed to overcast many of the problems associated with the drugs in current use. Nanomedicines are believed to expand drug absorption, improve biodistribution, target selected cells or organs, and reduce side effects and general toxicity, as well as help in the introduction of new drug candidates from biological or synthetic origins.

The aim of this Special Issue of Pharmaceutics is to collect research and review papers related to the application of pharmaceutical nanotechnology tools directed to the treatment of leishmaniasis and Chagas diseases. We welcome articles dealing with all aspects nanotechnology and invite researchers and drug developers to publish their original research or review articles with expert opinions and perspectives in the area of both NTDs.

Prof. Dr. Orlando David Henrique dos Santos
Dr. Gustavo Henrique Bianco de Souza
Dr. Janaína Brandão Seibert
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanoformulation
  • leishmaniasis
  • chagas disease
  • nanotechnology
  • drug toxicity
  • bioavailability
  • nanomedicine
  • dosage form

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 1008 KB  
Article
Easy Obtainment and Biological Applicability of Pinocarvyl Acetate by Encapsulating of the Microlicia graveolens Essential Oil in Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions
by Janaína Brandão Seibert, Tatiane Roquete Amparo, Lucas Resende Dutra Sousa, Ivanildes Vasconcelos Rodrigues, Alicia Petit, Pauline Pervier, Mariana Costa Azevedo, Policarpo Ademar Sales Junior, Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta, Cláudia Martins Carneiro, Luiz Fernando de Medeiros Teixeira, Gustavo Henrique Bianco de Souza, Paula Melo de Abreu Vieira and Orlando David Henrique dos Santos
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(9), 1130; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17091130 - 29 Aug 2025
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The study of biological activity of plants and their metabolites is an important approach for the discovery of new active material. However, little is known of the properties of the Microlicia genus. In addition to natural products, nanotechnology demonstrates considerable potential in [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The study of biological activity of plants and their metabolites is an important approach for the discovery of new active material. However, little is known of the properties of the Microlicia genus. In addition to natural products, nanotechnology demonstrates considerable potential in pharmacotherapy. The utilization of nanoemulsions holds considerable promise in enhancing the efficacy of drugs, reducing dose, and therefore, lowering of toxic effects. Methods: In this context, antimicrobial and trypanocidal activities were evaluated to the free and encapsulated essential oil from M. graveolens in oil-in-water (o/w) nanoemulsion. Results: This oil is composed mainly of cis-pinocarvyl acetate (~80.0%). The nanoemulsions were prepared by phase inversion method and showed mean particle size of 58 nm, polydispercity index of 0.09, pH 7.8, zeta potential of −21.9 mV, electrical conductivity of 0.38 mS/cm, and good stability. The essential oil was active against all five Gram-positive bacteria tested, and the formulation enhanced this ability. The cytotoxicity effect on L929 cells was also reduced after encapsulation of this oil in o/w nanoemulsion. In addition, the oil and the nanoemulsion were able to inhibit the growth of Trypanosoma cruzi. Conclusions: Thus, the development of a nanoemulsion loaded with M. graveolens essential oil is an easy and low-cost way to obtain and deliver the cis-pinocarvyl acetate compound as well as allow its use in the treatment of diseases caused mainly by the genus Listeria and Staphylococcus. Full article
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